Who would have thought?

The world doesn’t float in a sea of ether.

A commonplace fact today, but a groundbreaking revelation in 1887—discovered by bold thinkers Albert Michelson and Edward Morley
at Case Western Reserve University.

Hand washing can stem infections.

When hospitals struggled to prevent newborn staph outbreaks decades ago, Case Western Reserve professor
Edward A. Mortimer Jr., MD, conducted a landmark study demonstrating that the disease spread through nursery personnel’s hands.

Cholesterol contributes to heart disease.

The artery-clogging effect of cholesterol—so well known today—revolutionized the medical world when Case Western Reserve
professor William Insull, MD, first made the discovery in 1969.

These ideas only became commonplace after faculty at Case Western Reserve University pushed beyond accepted wisdom to give rise to new
knowledge. For nearly two centuries, we have made breakthroughs, challenged the status quo and searched for fresh perspectives and new truths.

We continued that tradition in 2010–2011. Explore here just how much our bold approach helps shape what everyone thinks.